Chinese-speaking tour guides in Thailand have referred to as for the government to take action towards unlawful international guides who they claim are stealing their jobs. The Professional Guide Association of Thailand held a meeting on Saturday to discuss the problem and vow to escalate the difficulty all the means in which as a lot as the prime minister.
The affiliation lamented that the number of tour guide jobs doesn’t seem to match the number of incoming tourists. While overseas tourist statistics have been rising in leaps and bounds since October 2022, tourism jobs for Thai tour guides have not grown in the identical proportion.
The group argues that the roles are there, however foreigners are coming to Thailand and performing as guides illegally with out the required guide license. Even if a foreigner wanted to get a license, it is inconceivable. Being a tour guide is a protected occupation in Thailand, meaning that foreigners can’t hold that job.
These illegal guides are taking away jobs from Thai tour guides who’re properly licensed. The group complained that they have beforehand called for motion from authorities, but the authorities has not taken any action.
The chairman of the information association claimed it’s not just individuals stealing local jobs. Since China introduced a re-opening for international tourism, Chinese buyers have been accused of swarming into popular travel areas and operating their excursions, crippling the native tour companies.
The hit to legal Thai tour guides especially stings after several harsh years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Profit had to give up and seek a new profession in another trade as closed borders left them with no customers and little to no help from the federal government..